Monday, 31 March 2014

News Just In: One Horse Race Won By Horse

Too much head patting: adding shine to crowns or exposing need for decent heir?

The full-time whistle had barely left the lips of referee Steven McLean, yet social media was already awash with Celtic fans, understandably, hailing their mighty heroes for clinching a third title in a row. Many of the comments talked of greatness and looked forward to many more titles over the next few seasons. Neil Lennon called the achievement 'simply breathtaking' as he enjoyed another success.

The 5-1 win away at Partick Thistle made it 27 victories from 31 matches in the league so far this season, With seven games still to play, Easter still three and a half weeks away, and the clocks not yet pushed forward for British Summertime, Celtic's lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership is already unassailable. Its the earliest the title has been wrapped up in Scotland for 85 years. Whatever you think of the task that Celtic faced, you cannot deny they completed it with style. Style and complete and utter domination. They destroyed the competition. Men against boys - or is that Bhoys against boys?

Celtic have had a very good league campaign and deserve the accolades for their achievements, but let's not kid ourselves. Celtic did not destroy the competition. There was no competition. The new Scottish Premiership is a one horse race. That is not said to denigrate the other teams in the league. It is a simple fact. In the league, no team came close to putting up a fight for the title. Cup competitions always allow the opportunity for inferior teams to beat better teams. In a league that opportunity is vastly diminished. It's a cliche but the table doesn't lie, and over the course of a long season weaknesses are always exposed by superior opposition.